VICTIM OF ASSASSIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 64, 15 March 1940, Page 6

VICTIM OF ASSASSIN

The assassination of Sir Michael O'Dwyeir, Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab from 1913 to 1919, at a meeting of the East India Association in London has roused almost universal feelings of indignation and abhorrence, but it is doubtful whether any political significance can be attached to it at this time so | long after the Amritsar affair of 1919. Sir Michael, one of the ablest provincial administrators Britain ever' gave to India, defended his action at Amritsar, by which several hundred Indians lost their lives, as necessary to save Irjdia from another Mutiny, but it left bitter and lasting memories in India. Still, as the nationalist newspaper "Star of India" put it in reference to the assassination, "However bitter India may have felt against Sir Michael O'Dwyer, she hangs her head in shame,, for no one wished his death." The Indian Press, generally, strikes the same note, and representative Indians everywhere are joining in condemnation of the murder, which, it is agreed, in the words of one paper, has "rendered a distinct disservice to the cause of freedom in India. Sir Michael O'Dwyer died a martyr." On behalf of the Congress Party it is stated that the leaders are "indescribably pained." Sir Michael had long lived in retirement, 'though keeping up his interest in India, where he had spent the best years of his life. His ability was recognised even by his opponents. Though the assassin is reported to have declared that he never intended to kill anybody, but to make a "protest," the other distinguished victims of his fusillade were lucky to escape with minor- injuries. The whole incident, coming after other similar cases in the past, illustrates once more the danger to public men from irresponsible individuals who vent their grievances in violence and the necessity for adequate protection from such attacks.